Chesterfield FC sold to Community Trust
The sale of Chesterfield FC to Chesterfield FC Community Trust has been officially completed.
The ground-breaking agreement, which brings an end to Dave Allen’s decade-long ownership of the Spireites, means the Community Trust is believed to be the first such organisation to own a professional football club in this country.
Community Trust chairman Mike Goodwin, who is set to take up a similar role on the football club board, is delighted to have concluded the deal following months of negotiations. He said: “It has been a long road to reach this position and we are now at the start of a new era for the football club. I would like to thank Dave Allen and Ashley Carson for their co-operation and wish them all the best for the future.”
“There was a very real possibility that the club could have been sold to someone who did not have the best interests of the club at heart. We would urge supporters to embrace the Community Trust as a safe pair of hands to safeguard the future of the club. We are all in this together so it is vital that supporters get behind us.”
“We set out from the start to build on solid foundations, putting together a robust business plan with the help of professional advisors including Rajesh Sharma from Tilston Ventures Ltd and Matt Dunham from Dunham Dean Advisory and we will continue to make decisions in the best interests of the club.”
“As a Trust, we have used the power of football and Chesterfield to make a positive difference to the lives of the people of North Derbyshire. The importance of the club to the community has been acknowledged by Chesterfield Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council, who have each agreed to provide financial support for the acquisition and operation of the club.”
“Having spoken to John Pemberton, he shares our on-the-field vision for the club and he will receive the support he needs to shape a squad capable of competing effectively during the forthcoming season.”
“The hard work starts now and we are under no illusions about the size of the task in front of us. Now is the time for everyone to pull together and work to put the club on a firm footing.”
With Mike Warner and John Croot standing down as directors, a new board will be announced soon.
